Eczema

Foods and Eczema: The Connection




Eczema causes the top layer of the skin to become inflamed or irritated. Food allergies may cause eczema flair ups. Dietary elements that have been reported to trigger eczema include dairy, coffee, soy, eggs, nuts, wheat, and corn but will vary so it is suggested one get tested for specific allergies. Diet can also play a role in helping alleviate eczema symptoms.

Consuming foods that will boost your immune system can be helpful with eczema. These include foods with omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, avocados, and nuts including almonds. Some brands of eggs are fortified with omega-3 fatty acids. Foods which contain beta-carotene with orange pigmentation including squash, carrots, and yams are beneficial. Raw vegetables and fruits have been shown to help avoid itching, especially dark green vegetables.

Overall, it is best to consume foods that have been minimally processed because those that have been processed have synthetic compounds and substances in them that are essentially toxins in our bodies and may induce an eczema flare-up. These include foods with partially hydrogenated oils and simple, reduced sugars, such as candy and processed snack foods. Other foods to possibly avoid would be acidic foods such as tomato products, chocolate, citrus fruits and drinks, coffee, soda, and alcohol.



Following is a list of foods that are great to eat to help avoid flare-ups.

• Brown rice with vegetables

• Juices made with fruits and vegetables such as celery, parsley, carrots, cilantro, kale, cucumber, beets, zucchini, bell peppers, bok choy, or anything you like.

• Unsalted seeds and nuts

• Salmon or halibut with vegetables

• Boiled eggs

• Sweet potatoes, turnips, carrots, and yams

• Sprouted whole grain bread with avocado, cilantro, tomato, and olives



Aside from food, try the following tips to avoid flare-ups of eczema or help relieve it. And remember, there are many factors that affect eczema cases.

• Moisturize frequently

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to help flush toxins out of your body

• Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity

• Avoid sweating or overheating

• Reduce stress

• Avoid scratchy materials, such as wool

• Avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents

• Wear gloves when you clean

• Avoid environmental factors that trigger allergies (for example, pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander)

Normal Eating

In college I remember studying eating disorders and reading a book by Ellyn Satter. I copied this paragraph and from time to time share it with clients.

Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it -not just stop eating because you think you should. Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food. Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good. Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way. It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful. Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be undereating at times and wishing you had more. Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating. Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.

In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.

Juicing

JUICING

Why juicing?

There are benefits to juicing as well as eating fruits and vegetables. Juicing extracts the juice from fresh fruits or vegetables. The resulting liquid contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in the whole fruit. However, whole fruits and vegetables also have healthy fiber, which are lost during most juicing. The main reason for juicing is to obtain a supply of raw nutrients from the produce that are juiced. When heat, mainly from cooking vegetables, is applied to foods, the enzymes, vitamins and minerals they contain may be decreased. By taking raw juices we are ensuring the body gets a good supply of these easily digested nutrients in the form the body is best able to deal with. Another benefit of juicing is it allows one to obtain a greater quantity of nutrients than chewing would, especially for those that do not like to eat fruits and vegetables. 

Some say that juicing is better for you than is eating whole fruits and vegetables because your body can absorb the nutrients better and it gives your digestive system a rest from working on fiber. They say that juicing can reduce your risk of cancer, boost your immune system, help you remove toxins from your body, aid digestion, and help you lose weight.  But there's no sound scientific evidence that extracted juices are healthier than the juice you get by eating the fruit or vegetable itself. 

Fruit vs. Vegetable Juicing

Both types of juicing are certainly good for your health, however vegetable juicing has one advantage over fruit juicing because fruit juice tends to increase insulin levels when consumed.  The only exception to this would be carrot or beet juice which function similarly to consumption of fruit juice, but not as high in sugar.

Types of Juicers: Centrifugal vs. Cold Press

There are two main type of juicers: Centrifugal and Cold Press.  Centrifugal juicers are more widely available and less expensive.  The machine operates at very high speeds which generate heat and destroys enzymes and nutrients naturally found in the produce. With a cold-press juicer, the gentle, slow-turning action produces a greater quantity of juice, which retains more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fiber than the juice produced from centrifugal juicers.

Overall, the advantages of non-Centrifugal juicers include:

-The juice will last longer and contain more nutrients than juice from a centrifugal juicer

-They have fewer parts and are easier to clean

-They are much quieter than centrifugal juicers

-Most can juice wheatgrass and herbs

Some double as a food processor

Often their warranties are longer than centrifugal juicers

May 2011 Outdoor Yoga

If you are looking for a way to incorporate relaxation, stretching, and a body and mind connection this month try some of the free yoga classes offered at Byant Park on the upper terrace  Expert instructors, provided by lululemon athletica, lead all levels of yogis.

Mats are provided.
In case of rain, please check bryantpark.org.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011
10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday, May 5, 2011
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday, May 12, 2011
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday, May 19, 2011
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday, May 26, 2011
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
10:00am – 11:00am